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Synonym Chooser

How is the word obstreperous different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of obstreperous are blatant, boisterous, clamorous, strident, and vociferous. While all these words mean "so loud or insistent as to compel attention," obstreperous suggests unruly and aggressive noisiness and resistance to restraint.

the obstreperous demonstrators were arrested

Where would blatant be a reasonable alternative to obstreperous?

The words blatant and obstreperous are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, blatant implies an offensive bellowing or insensitive loudness.

blatant rock music
a blatant clamor for impeachment

When can boisterous be used instead of obstreperous?

The words boisterous and obstreperous can be used in similar contexts, but boisterous suggests a noisiness and turbulence due to high spirits.

a boisterous crowd of party goers

When is clamorous a more appropriate choice than obstreperous?

The meanings of clamorous and obstreperous largely overlap; however, clamorous may imply insistency as well as vociferousness in demanding or protesting.

clamorous demands for prison reforms

When might strident be a better fit than obstreperous?

In some situations, the words strident and obstreperous are roughly equivalent. However, strident suggests harsh and discordant noise.

heard the strident cry of the crow

In what contexts can vociferous take the place of obstreperous?

The synonyms vociferous and obstreperous are sometimes interchangeable, but vociferous implies a vehement shouting or calling out.

vociferous cries of protest and outrage

Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of obstreperous The Sun has become increasingly obstreperous lately, and the results here on Earth have been nothing short of dazzling – but also disruptive. Tom Yulsman, Discover Magazine, 20 Dec. 2023 The Boston Tea Party also symbolizes something obstreperous in the American character. The Editors, National Review, 16 Dec. 2023 Those old enough to have encountered the waxy brown goop may have even undertaken the ritual of removing the obstreperous material from cars made from the 1970s through 1990s. Robert Ross, Robb Report, 6 Nov. 2023 And anyway, subverting an election is hardly the act of an obstreperous child. Timothy Noah, The New Republic, 8 Aug. 2023 See all Example Sentences for obstreperous 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obstreperous
Adjective
  • The need led to mostly universal – if often reluctant – support for the tax measure among city leaders, and outspoken support from fire and police departments.
    Luis Melecio-Zambrano, The Mercury News, 8 Nov. 2024
  • An outspoken supporter of former President Donald Trump, Marcus and his spouse contributed $7 million to committees backing Trump's 2016 campaign and nearly $8 million to Republicans in the 2018 midterms.
    Kate Gibson, CBS News, 5 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • The current state of his ’stache, more tweezed than Hughes’s rebellious bushy caterpillar, is owed to that role.
    Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 19 Nov. 2024
  • Tired of the toxic culture within the group, Veronica teams up with her rebellious new boyfriend, J.D. (played by Christian Slater), and things quickly spiral out of control as their plot to take down the Heathers turns deadly.
    Jane LaCroix, People.com, 2 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • Starlink beaming communications to spacecraft, and he's been vocal about humanity one day colonizing Mars.
    Michael Kan, PCMAG, 7 Nov. 2024
  • Chronic diseases Both Kennedy and Trump have been vocal about tackling the root causes of chronic diseases rather than spending resources on treating those conditions with drugs from the pharmaceutical industry.
    Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 5 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • The rebel spark in my heart, though, wasn’t completely snuffed.
    Lili Anolik, Vulture, 12 Nov. 2024
  • Over the past year, the conflict between rebel forces and government troops in Myanmar has brought new refugees to the settlements.
    Maria Isabel Barros Guinle, NPR, 1 Sep. 2024
Adjective
  • Zoom out: While these protests may be vociferous, there's an equally deafening volume of grievances the SEC sees.
    Hope King, Axios, 28 Oct. 2024
  • When the film premiered at TIFF, critics were divided; Roger Ebert was (and remained) a strong defender, but there were vociferous pans, too.
    Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 15 Oct. 2024
Adjective
  • The Trump campaign had come back to Butler to stage its own retaliation, an over-the-top reminder that its candidate was defiant in the face of death, and possibly preordained for the Presidency.
    Antonia Hitchens, The New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2024
  • Despite the legal case, a defiant Musk posted the latest winner in his $1m giveaway on X this morning.
    Hannah Parry, Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2024
Adjective
  • As the Cure’s front man and primary songwriter, Smith’s never been shy about drawing blatant lyrical inspiration from his favorite books and poems.
    Chris Stanton, Vulture, 5 Nov. 2024
  • This is the continuation of the latest fake media outrage days before the election in a blatant attempt to interfere on behalf of Kamala Harris.
    Marco Rubio, Newsweek, 1 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • McCaffrey hadn’t played since the Super Bowl in Las Vegas while battling a stubborn case of Achilles tendinitis.
    Jerry McDonald, The Mercury News, 10 Nov. 2024
  • Find it on Amazon A Dark Spot Remover That’s Full of Nourishing Ingredients Don’t let stubborn dark spots ruin your confidence—invest in this dark spot remover.
    Mia Meltzer, Rolling Stone, 1 Nov. 2024

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Thesaurus Entries Near obstreperous

Cite this Entry

“Obstreperous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obstreperous. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on obstreperous

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